ATLANTA-Tom Key, Theatrical Outfit’s artistic director, uses the words of Nelson Mandela to introduce the current production: “Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.”

Meet the plucky, privileged Sara Crewe, the lead character of “A Little Princess.” The daughter of a soldier-adventurer in Africa finds herself shipped away from her happy home to mind-numbing, dull Victorian-era London. Through song, dance and tales of magic and mystery, she brings joy to the other children but draws the wrath of the cruel headmistress who resembles a tyrant in a Charles Dickens novel. Set in World War I, Sara learns that her father, a British army officer, is dead. Her charmed life crumbles and with no assurance of room and board payments flowing to the facility, she’s forced to become an unpaid servant, a slave by another name, dressed in rags and living in a cold, damp room.

Sara, however, is made of good stuff and does not allow her light of life to be extinguished. Through imagination and courage she overcomes adversity with the dignity of a true princess.

Young Sara, brilliantly portrayed by Atlanta native Emerson Steele, is the universal child, glowing with defiance and faith. Her voice will brighten your holidays. Combine her spectacular performance with a talented cast and brilliant choreography and music, you behold an event that will, to quote Mr. Key, “liberate the soul-stirring truth of theatre.”

“A Little Princess” is part of Theatrical Outfit’s Season of Courage, continuing its vision of creating compassion, one thought-provoking and soul-stirring story at a time.